Apparatus for making ice members



May 3l, 1966 L.. R. VAN STEENBURGH, JR 3,253,424

APPARATUS FCR MAKING ICE MEMBERS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 18, 1965 May 31, 1966 L. R. VAN STEENBURGH, JR

APPARATUS FOR MAKING ICE MEMBERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 18, 1965 United States Patent O 3,253,424 APPARATUS F01?. MAKING ICE MEMBERS ALeon R. Van Steenburgh, Jr., 511 Parkside Drive, Rockford, Ill. Filed Feb. 1S, 1965, Ser. No. 433,719 Claims. (Cl. 62-298) This invention relates to apparatus for making ice members, and is particularly directed to an improved ice member making apparatus for producing ice members of great clarity and purity at low cost and at a fast rate.

The present application is directed to improvements over my earlier applications Serial No.- 336,414, filed January 8, 1964, and Serial No. 363,731, filed April 30, 1964.

One of the main objects of the present invention is the provision of an improved ice member making apparatus which will overcome certain problems and difficulties encountered with previous forms of apparatus for making ice members.

Another object is to eliminate the need for an evaporator tube having convolutions extending about the wall of the apparatus; and also cooling buttons fixed on the turns of the evaporator tube, and spring means, or mechanical clamping means, associated with each turn of the evaporator tube for pressing the cooling buttons against one surface of the wall ofthe apparatus, the opposite surface of which is wetted.

Another object is to provide cooling members which are formed integral with a second wall spaced from a first wall and which contact the other surface of the first wall and are of hollow form opening into a space between the second wall and a third wall spaced from the second wall, and means for supplying a refrigerant through the space between the second and third walls to cool the cooling members on the second wall and said first wall at the ends of saidcooling members to form ice members on `said first wall at the inner ends of the cooling members.

Another object is to provide cooling members on the second wall which are arranged in spaced relation in horizontal rows, and ribs on the second wall coacting with the third wall to form space for each horizontal row of cooling members, the inlet for the refrigerant being at one end of the space for the lower row of cooling members, the space for the lower row of cooling members being open at its opposite end to the overlying space for the next row of cooling members, the overlying space being open at its opposite ends to a space overlying the over lying space, and the top space having an outlet at its opposite end for the refrigerant.

Another object is to provide means coacting with the second Wall for pressing the cooling members on the second wall into iirm contact with the other surface of the first wall.

Another object is to provide ice member making apparatus having first and second walls with surfaces facing each other, means for wetting said facing surfaces, third and fourth walls spaced from the other surfaces of said rst and second walls, cooling members on the third and fourth walls at spaced positions and contacting the other surfaces of said first and second walls, fifth and sixth walls spaced from said third and fourth walls, and means for supplying a refrigerant to the spaces between said third and fourth walls and said fifth and sixth walls to cool said cooling members on said third and fourth walls and the surfaces of said first and second walls which are wetted to form ice members on said wetted surfaces of said first and second walls at the inner ends of the cooling members.

Another object is to provide means coacting with the third and fourth walls for pressing the cooling members on said walls into firm contact with the other surfaces of the first and second walls.

Further features, advantages and adaptations of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it being understood that the invention is limited only Within the scope of the appended claims and not to the particular embodiments selected for illustration.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view through one lform of ice member making apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view showing spring means for pressing the cooling members of FIG- URES 1 and 2 into contact with the inner wall;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional View taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURE l but showing the wall portions with the cooling members thereon in side elevation; and also means for pressing the cooling members into contact with the inner wall, and fragmentarily the other wall between which walls with the cooling members thereon and said otherv wall the refrigerant passes; and

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal section of another form of apparatus embodying the present inveniton.

The form of apparatus, as shown in FIGURES l, 2, 3, 4 and 5, comprises a wall -or Vertical cylindrical casing 10, which is preferably formed of stainless steel because of its cleanliness and its low conductivity of heat.

Second walls 11 of partially tubular form surround and are spaced at 12 from the outer surface of the wall 10. The walls 11 are preferably formed of brass or copper and have cooling members or buttons 14 formed integral therewith. The cooling members are shown of circular form and project inwardly from the walls 11. The cooling members 14 have closed inner ends 15 contacting the outer surface of the wall 10 and are of hollow form at 16 opening into the space 18 between the walls 11 and 17. The third walls 17 of partially tubular form are spaced from the walls 11 at 18 by ribs 19 integral with the walls 11 and contacting the walls 17. The walls 17 are marginally secured and sealed to the walls 11 at 19 as shown in FIGURES 1, -4 and 5. The walls 17 are preferably formed of stainless steel.

The walls 11 have spaced end iianges 20 provided with openings through which screws 21 or other mechanical means pass and engage, for example, in nuts 22 for pressing the inner ends 15 of the cooling members 14 into rm contact with the outer surface of the wall 10.

Instead of using screws 21, or other mechanical clamping means, springs 24 may be connected between the flanges 2t) of the walls 11 as shown in FIGURE 3 for yieldingly pressing the inner ends 15 of the cooling members 14 into firm contact with the outer surface of the wall 10.

The cooling members 14 on the walls 11 are arranged in spaced relation in horizontal rows. The ribs 19 on the second walls 11 coact With the third walls 17 to form the spaces 18 for each horizontal row of cooling members 14. The inlets 28 for the refrigerant are at one end of the spaces for the lower rows of cooling members 14. The spaces 18 for the lower row of cooling members 14 are open at their opposite ends at 30 (FIG. l) to the overlying space 18 for the next row of cooling members 1-4. The overlying space 18 is open at its opposite end at 32 (FIG. 5) to a space 18 overlying said overlying space 18. This circulates the refrigerant in opposite directions through the spaces 18, which may be repeated as many times as desired depending upon the number of horizontal rows of cooling members 14. The top spaces 18 have outlets 34 for the refrigerant at their opposite ends.

The cooling members 14 overlying the lower row of cooling members 14 are staggered with respect to the lower row of cooling members 14 and the cooling members in the row of cooling members overlying the overlying row of cooling members are staggered with respect to the cooling members which overlie the lower row of cooling members as shown in FIGURES 1, 4 and 5. The staggering of the cooling members 14 is preferably repeated throughout all of the rows of cooling members.

An annular trough 36 is provided at the upper end of the wall or cylindrical casing 10. Water is supplied to the interior of the trough 36, for example, by a water inlet 38. A pump operated, for example, by an electric motor (not shown) may supply the water into the trough 36 through the inlet 38. The trough 36 may have an annular raised portion 40 with openings at 42 through which the water is sprayed or directed at 44 onto the upper part of the inner surface of the wall `10 and trickles or circulates downwardly over the inner surface of the wall 10. In the flow of refrigerant through the spaces 18, the cooling members or buttons 14 are cooled and the inner surface of the wall 10 is cooled at the inner ends of the cooling members 14. As a result ice members 48 are formed on the inner surface of the wall 10 as shown in FIGURE 4. The outer surfaces of these ice members 48 adhere to the cylindrical inner surface of the wall 10 and the inner surfaces of the ice members 48 are of rounded convex form as shown in FIGURE 4.

The ice members 48 may be released from the wall 10, for example, in the manner disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 336,414, filed January 8, 1964. The ice members 48 upon being released from the wall 10 may drop onto a screen and may be discharged through an opening as also disclosed in said copending application.

The exteriors of the walls 17 are insulated by an annular wall of insulation 50 which covers the outer surfaces of the wall 17 as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. The insulation 50 may be Styrofoam insulation or any other suitable insulation. The apparatus is thus effectively insulated from entering heat.

The top of the apparatus as shown in FIGURES 1 and is closed by a removable cover 52. The cover 52 may have a handle (not shown) for applying and removing the cover 52 from the top of the apparatus.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in horizontal section in FIGURE 6, the wall or vertically cylindrical casing 60 is preferably formed of stainless steel and it is similar to the wall shown in FIGURES 2 and 4. The walls 62 of partially tubular form surrounding and spaced from the wall 60 at 64 are preferably formed of brass or copper and have cooling members 66 formed integrally therewith. The cooling members 66 have closed inner ends contacting the outer surface of the wall 60.

The walls 62 and the cooling members 66 are similar to the walls and cooling members 111 and 14 of the preceding embodiment of the invention. Third walls 68 similar to the walls 17 of the preceding embodiment of the invention are spaced from the walls 62 at 70 and are marginally secured to the walls 62 as in the preceding embodiment of the invention. The walls 68 are preferably formed of stainless steel.

The walls 62 have spaced end flanges 72 provided with openings through which screws 74, or other mechanical means pass and engage, for example, in nuts 76 for pressing the inner ends of the cooling members 66 into firm contact with the outer surface of the wall 60.

Instead of using screws 74, or other mechanical clamping means, springs may be connected between the flanges 72 of the walls 62 as shown in FIGURE 3 for yieldingly pressing the inner ends of the cooling members 66 into firm contact with the outer surface of the wall 60.

The structure so far described in connection with FIG- URE 6 is identical to the structure described in connection with the preceding embodiment of the invention. The annular wall of insulation 78 is similar to the insulation 5f) described in connection with the preceding embodiment of the invention.

Spaced inwardly from the cylindrical wall 60 is a concentric vertical cylindrical wall 80 with an annular space 81 between the walls 60 and 80 within which the ice members are formed.

Walls 82 of partially tubular form are disposed with spaces 83 between the walls 82 and the wall 8f). The wall 80 is preferably formed of stainless steel and the walls 82 are preferably formed of brass or copper. The walls 82 have cooling members 84 formed integral therewith. The cooling members 84 have closed outer ends contacting the inner surface of the wall 80. Third walls 86 are spaced from the walls 82 at 87 and are marginally secured and sealed to the walls 82. The walls 86 are preferably formed of stainless steel.

Expanding springs 88 are interposed between the end flanges 90 of walls 82 and yieldingly press the outer ends of the cooling members 84 into firm contact with the inner surface of the wall 80. Instead of using springs, screws or other mechanical means may be employed for pressing the outer ends of the cooling members 84 into contact with the inner surface of the wall 80.

The cooling members on the walls 62 and 82 are arranged as described in connection with the preceding embodiment of the invention and there are spaces between ribs on the walls 62 and between ribs on the walls 82 as previously described. Refrigerant is circulated between the walls 62 and 68 and between the walls 82 and 86 to cause cooling of the members 66 and the cooling members 84 and the walls 60 and 80 at the opposite ends of the cooling members 66 and 84.

Water is directed upon the upper parts of the opposing surfaces of the walls 60 and 80 and trickles or circulates Adownwardly over the opposing surfaces of the walls 60 and 80. In the flow of refrigerant between the walls 62 and 68 and between the walls 82 and 86 the cooling members 66 and 84 are cooled and the opposing surfaces of the walls 60 and 80 are cooled at the ends of the cooling members 66 and 84. With the water circulating downwardly over the opposing surfaces of the walls 60 and 80 ice discs or members 92 are formed on the opposing surfaces of the walls 60 and 80 as shown, by example, in dotted lines at 92 in FIGURE 6.. The two opposing ice members grow in size as the freezing continues, and finally join and continue to freeze until each pair of ice members 92 forms one thick disc of ice as shown at 94 in FIGURE 6.

The ice members 94 may be released from the walls 60 and 80, for example, in the manner disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 336,414, filed January 8, 1964. The ice members 94 upon being released from the walls 60 and 80 may drop onto a screen and may be discharged through an opening as also disclosed in said copending application.

The embodiments of the invention disclosed in the drawings and the specification are for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be expressly understood that said drawings and the specification are not be construed as a definition of the limits or scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for that purpose.

I claim:

1. Ice making apparatus comprising a first wall, means for wetting one surface of said first wall, a second wall spaced from said first wall, cooling members on said second wall arranged in spaced relation in horizontal rows and contacting the other surface of said first wall, a third wall spaced from said second wall, ribs on said second wall coacting with said third wall to form spaces for each horizontal row of cooling members, and means for supplying a refrigerant through the space between said second and third walls to cool said cooling members on said second wall and said first wall at the inner ends of said cooling members to form ice members on one surface of said first wall at the inner ends of said cooling members, the inlet for the refrigerant being at one end of the space for the lower row of cooling members, said space for the lower row of cooling members being open at its opposite end to the overlying space for the next row of cooling members, the overlying space being open at its opposite end to a space overlying said overlying space, and the top space having an outlet at its opposite end for refrigerant.

2. Ice member making apparatus comprising a first wall of tubular form, means for wetting one surface of said first wall, a second wall spaced from said first wall, cooling members on said second wall at spaced positions and contacting the other surface of said first wall, said second wall being composed of partially tubular portions surrounding and spaced from said first wall, spring means coacting with the partially tubular portions of said second Wall for pressing the cooling members on said second wall into firm contact with said first wall, and means for supplying a refrigerant through said partially tubular portions of said second wall to cool said cooling members on said second wall and said first wall at the inner ends of said cooling members to form ice members on one surface of said first Wall at the inner ends of said cooling members.

3. Ice member making apparatus comprising a first substantially vertical cylindrical and stationary wall, means for wetting one surface of said first wall, a second stationary wall substantially concentric with and spaced from said first wall, cooling members on said second wall at spaced positions and contacting the other surface of said first wall, said second wall comprising partially tubular portions substantially surrounding and spaced from said first wall, means coacting with the partially tubular positions of said second wall for maintaining said cooling members on said second wall in pressure contact with said first Wall, and means for supplying a refrigerant through said partially tubular portions of said second Wall to cool said cooling members on said second Wall and said first wall at the ends of said cooling members to form ice members on said surface of said first wall at the ends of said cooling members.

4. Ice making apparatus comprising a first substantially vertical cylindrical and stationary wall, means for wetting the inner surface of said first wall, a second stationary wall substantially concentric with and surrounding said first wall and spaced outwardly therefrom, cooling members on said second wall at spaced positions and extending inwardly therefrom with their inner ends contacting the outer surface of said first wall, said second wall comprising partially tubular portions substantially surrounding and spaced outwardly from said first wall, means coacting with the partially tubular portions of said second wall for maintaining said cooling members on said second wall in pressure contact with said first wall, and means for supplying a refrigerant through said partially tubular portions of said second wall to cool said cooling members on said second wall and said first wall at the inner ends of said cooling members to form ice members on said inner surface of said first wall at the inner ends of said cooling members.

5. Ice making apparatus comprising a first substantially vertical cylindrical and lstationary wall, a second stationary Wall substantially concentric with and surrounded by said first Wall and spaced inwardly therefrom, cooling members on said second wall at spaced positions and extending outwardly therefrom with their outer ends contacting the inner surface of said first wall, a third substantially vertical cylindrical and stationary wall substantially concentric with and surrounding said first Wall and spaced outwardly therefrom, a fourth stationary wall substantially concentric with and surrounding said third wall and spaced outwardly therefrom, cooling members on said fourth wall at spaced positions and extending inwardly therefrom with their inner ends contacting the outer surface of said third wall and substantially aligned with said cooling members of said second wall, means for wetting the outer surface of said first wall and the inner surface of said third wall, said second wall comprising partially tubular portions substantially Surrounded by and spaced inwardly from said first wall, said fourth wall comprising partially tubular portions substantially surrounding and spaced outwardly from said third wall, means coacting with said tubular portions of said second wall for maintaining said cooling members thereof in pressure contact with said first wall, means coacting with said tubular portions of said fourth wall for maintaining said cooling members thereof in pressure contact with said third wall, and means for supplying a refrigerant through said partially tubular portions of said second and fourth walls to cool said cooling members thereof and said first and third walls at the ends of said cooling members to form ice members on said first and third walls between the opposed ends of said cooling members.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,683,357 7/1954 Albright 62-348 X 2,836,038 5/1958 Morgan 62-344 X 2,900,804 8/1959 Rising 62--344 X 2,940,276 6/ 1960 Loewenthal et al. 62-347 2,963,885 12/ 1960 Loewenthal 62-344 3,146,610 9/1964 Lowe 62-347 ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner.

W. E. WAYNER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. ICE MAKING APPARATUS COMPRISING A FIRST WALL, MEANS FOR WETTING ONE SURFACE OF SAID FIRST WALL, A SECOND WALL SPACED FROM SAID FIRST WALL, COOLING MEMBERS ON SAID SECOND WALL ARRANGED IN SPACED RELATION IN HORIZONTAL ROWS AND CONTACTING THE OTHER SURFACE OF SAID FIRST WALL, A THIRD WALL SPACED FROM SAID SECOND WALL, RIBS ON SAID SECOND WALL COACTING WITH SAID THIRD WALL TO FORM SPACES FOR EACH HORIZONTAL ROW OF COOLING MEMBERS, AND MEANS FOR SUPPLYING A REFRIGERANT THROUGH THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID SECOND AND THIRD WALLS TO COOL SAID COOLING MEMBERS ON SAID SECOND WALL AND SAID FIRST WALL AT THE INNER ENDS OF SAID COOLING MEMBERSD TO FORM ICE MEMBERS ON ONE SURFACE OF SAID FIRST WALL AT THE INNER ENDS OF SAID COOLING MEMBERS, THE INLET FOR THE REFRIGERANT BEING AT ONE END OF THE SPACE FOR THE LOWER ROW OF COOLING MEMBERS, SAID SPACE FOR THE LOWER ROW OF COOLING MEMBERS BEING OPEN AT ITS OPPOSITE END TO THE OVERLYING SPACE FOR THE NEXT ROW OF COOLING MEMBERS, THE OVERLYING SPACE BEING OPEN AT ITS OPPOSITE END TO A SPACE OVERLYING SAID OVERLYING SPACE, AND THE TOP SPACE HAVING AN OUTLET AT ITS OPPOSITE END FOR REFRIGERANT. 